Symptoms Diary - Ideas?

[FatJoints]

Hi all, I'm looking for ideas of a symptoms Diary layout. Does anyone have a layout that works for them? I'm probably looking for an excuse for new stationary more than anything hehe

[helixhelix]

You could use an app, like the NRAS rheumabuddy app here

nras.org.uk/rheumabuddy-an-...

And buy nice stationary for something else!

I tried it, but don’t have the patience.

[FatJoints in reply to helixhelix]

Haha! Very practical suggestion thanks 😀

[Mmrr]

Hi FatJoints, love the name btw !

I keep a daily record of my health and have done for 3 years, it is important for me that it is easy and quick to use and clear to see. It takes about a minute to complete each day.

I use A4 paper, landscape, a page for a week.

8 columns, headed:

Date, Meds, sleep, activity, systemic, joints, comments, grade.

(I grade myself each day. A, being very good through to D, at home unable to move/do much ).

I also count the grades each month (ie 2 As, 4 Bs, 18 Cs and 6Ds for example) and write a few sentences comment on how I've been that month. I can then easily relate the grades to the effectiveness of the meds each month, (or anything else).

The record was one of the items that got the rheumatologist to listen, when I was being brushed off, she could not ignore what I was saying.

I also submitted it for my PIP assessment and evidence to support my medical retirement request.

There are electronic apps that do a similar job 'rheumabuddy' being one, but I find paper and pencil easier, as I can view week by week and month by month. The apps don't give the same overview and can be fiddly for fat fingers to fill in. They are also more difficult to use as evidence for PIP etc.

It works for me, wouldn't be without it now......until I get a drug induced remission 🤪

I hope this gives you some ideas for your own journal, good luck !

[FatJoints in reply to Mmrr]

I love the details in this, thank you! Great suggestion and that's brilliant including comments on sleep.

Lol, when I first joined my joints were seriously blown up, seemed a appropriate name thanks. I'm a few years on from diagnosis, I had a brief remission but now things are dodgy again and I'm starting to forget details of things over that time. Will be handy to keep a record.

[charisma in reply to Mmrr]

That’s very like what has been in my mind, Mmrr!

But I’d have to use a spreadsheet, fingers can barely hold a pen web with those fin things on, and writing is often no good.

However, I keep an RA diary of important things, in my phone notes, too.

[FatJoints]

That's a good idea doing am and pm and I like 'positives' thanks!

[oldtimer]

I found keeping a daily record made me feel more depressed! I prefer the strategy of only noting (in my diary) when there is a major change in symptoms/signs or medication.

I tend personally more towards ignoring it as much as possible and getting on with doing other things when I can.

[Mmrr in reply to oldtimer]

If I hadn't kept a record, i believe antidepressants would still be the panacea on offer to me.

And it made the PIP application so easy, and medical retirement too, no issues all straight forward evidence.

I could not imagine being without it now.

I'll stop when my RD is under control , otherwise I need to know when and under what circumstances things happen. I just can't remember otherwise !

[FatJoints]

Oh no, good point. That's a good way of thinking on it, to record the main things thanks!

[helixhelix in reply to FatJoints]

I’m like old timer, only note big things. But I do keep spreadsheets/graphs of blood tests results for ESR/CRP, cholesterol and vit D.

[Mmrr in reply to FatJoints]

I believe the details are important! Small things can mean a lot with this old RD !

[FatJoints in reply to Mmrr]

Same, I feel its a balance trying not to be paranoid about every little symptom but at the same time monitoring in a way that helps you keep tabs.

[Mmrr in reply to FatJoints]

Exactly

[Hidden]

You could download this

nras.org.uk/publications/my...

and print out the pages you need.

[FatJoints in reply to Hidden]

Thanks!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Just checked this link quite handy and some good ideas thanks for sharing

[Hidden]

Love a new notebook 📒🤪